Another Ending...

My Dear Friends

Thank you for continuing to stop by

Even though I was MIA for so long

Tonight I write about another loss

Another ending in my life

Oh, it's not the most horrible kind

It's just another ending

For the past year and a half I have been 

Joyfully fluffing and refilling my space

At Tillies Attic

Oh how I have enjoyed creating and filling my space

With fun and beautiful treasures

It has been a life long dream for me to be a part

Of an antique/gift shop

Therefore, it was so exciting to have joined 

A fun and unique shop

Unfortunately,

The owner received word that the 

Landlord doubled her rent and 

Leased the space to another business without warning

So, it is will sadness

That the shop will be closing on March 30th.

My heart continues to reel from all of the life changes

I have been facing over the past several months

And now into the next few as well

I do wish God would write me a lovely letter

And tell me what HE is doing in my life

Why I am facing so many endings

And changes

However, we know that is not usually how our God works

I again pray and wait 

Without answer

Hopefully

On day soon, I will be able to share Good News

Blessings to you All

Tea Cup & Mug Exchange Reveal

Hello Sweet Friends

It's time for a very special Reveal

One I look forward to twice a year

For the past three events

I have participate in Stephanie's

Tea Cup & Mug Exchange

And OH What Fun It Has Been

Stephanie Joyfully and Prayerfully

Matches participants for the exchange

You send to one person

And receive from a different person

It is Always a JOY to participate

This time my recipient was

Marilyn at Mountain Top Spice

I will let her share about her package

But it has been delightful getting to know Marilyn

And I found great joy in putting her package together 

I was SO surprised when I received a lovely

Thank you package from her

How sweet are all of these delightful goodies

Thank you Marilyn for blessing me so

You never know where you will send a package

Or where your package will come from

This time both sent and received packages

Went/Came from ladies in Idaho

How Fun Is That

My package came from

 Tilda at Huckleberry Stitches

Oh My how she blessed this momma heart

I opened the package to find a gift for Madi

I was shocked and blessed

A beautiful hand made tea matt and a 'to color' book mark

What a sweet surprise and blessing

The rest of the package was stuffed FULL of beauty

With an Ocean theme, everything was had picked and made

By Tilda and her two daughters

Hot Cocoa, note pad, tea towels,

fragrance sachets for home and auto

Napkins, flower seeds and a hand sewn tea matt and book mark

The Tea Cup is a lovely shade of Aqua with white

Beautifully scalloped edges that remind me of sea shells

Absolutely Perfect

I feel so spoiled!

Thank you Tilda and girls

For your kindness and tender hearts

I am enjoying getting to know you and your family

Some day I plan to go visit my brother and niece/nephews in ID

I will make sure to visit BOTH of the beautiful and kind ladies

I never know how to thank Stephanie for hosting this wonderful

Tea Cup & Mug Exchange twice yearly

She certainly could be doing many other things

But has chosen to bless each participant

Thank you Stephanie

You are A TREASURE

Blessings to ALL

Happy 81st MOM

Hello Friends

I haven't blogged in such a long time

I almost forgot how to download, edit and upload photos

Hopefully, in the weeks ahead

I will blog more and fill you in

On where I've been and life in general

Today

I want to SAY

Happy 81st Birthday to my Mom

In the past 10+ years

This sweet lady

Has endured a

Whipple surgery

Broken Hip

Mini Stroke

Valley Fever

And something that has eaten a good bit

Of her skull away

Yet, we celebrate 81 years

With Great JOY

She has

4 Children

11 Grandchildren

12 Great Grandchildren

We had a delightful Celebration at my home on Sunday

I'm sharing just a few of my favorite photos

Cousins and Braces

Cousins and 2nd Cousins

Laughter and Silliness

Which pretty much describes our lives

Why would this be a favorite photo?

It is a reminder of:

Family, food, fellowship

Joy, blessings and Happiness

And Celebration of a life well lived

Remember that messes

Are a Symbols of LIFE

Happy Birthday Mom

GOD had a Plan

Hello Sweet Blog Friends


Although I've been fairly sporadic in blogland of late
I have a little anniversary memory to share

10 years ago today, I announced and acted on
The most difficult decision I had ever made
Up until that point in my life

Although settling on that decision was a
Long and arduous process
I knew it was the right decision

After spending 11 years at our home church
Working as the Church Administrator for 7 years
Serving as the Women's Ministries Director for 4 years
And spending about 80% of my waking hours at the
Church for many years
The Lord directed me to quit my job

On this date 10 years ago
I thought that was all the decision would entail
I would quit my job and continue the rest of life
However, others also get to make decisions
Once I announced that I was quitting my job
Everything else was taken from me

I was asked to step down from Women's Ministries
Within 12 hours my family and I were no longer members
Of the church we had loved and served for 11 years

I spent a week in bed
Cried for hours and days
Didn't answer or take calls
This isn't the way it was supposed to be

BUT GOD
Had a Plan

'For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD.
'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you.
I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.'
Jeremiah 29:11

YES!
His plan walked out over the past 10 years was
Definitely filled with hope.
Heartache and loss as well, but I see His hand in it all.

The future was not clear to us 10 years ago
The perfect job opportunity that would open up for me
Which allowed me time to truly enjoy life with Mark
Our sons and our oldest granddaughter

We didn't see the weeks and months that
Mark would spend in the hospital
My ability to be with him so much of that time
Never would have happened had the changes not been made

God had a Plan that we could not see
But stepping out in Faith solidified our walk with HIM
And strengthened our commitment to each other

Yes, there have been some very difficult and life altering
Moments in the past 10 years
Moments I'd love to change or forget
I've faced loss, sadness, loneliness
And washed my fair share of tear stained pillowcases

Yet, I would not change a moment of it
To go back to where I was 10 years ago

Being married to your job,
Your church, your ministry or
Anything else that pulls you away from
God's heart and His Plan
Is not healthy or beneficial

My heart and life are more balanced today
Because
God Had a Plan
Even though I couldn't see it at the time

Be Blessed My Friends
Enjoy 'Heart' Month



My One Word

Happy Weekend Sweet Friends

I started this post on January 3, 2017
I believe I have already failed my Word

Accomplish is the word that has been
bombarding my thoughts for the past several weeks
So far, I have one project accomplished with
Many, Many more to go

It seems I Love to start projects but I am a
Procrastinator by nature
(Ouch)

This is the year, for numerous reasons,
I need to accomplish projects and set aside the
procrastination trait

For the first time since Mark's passing
(6 years)
I truly DO have goals and plans
Lists and desires
This is the Year to rejoice in today

The necklace I wear says: Embrace The Moment
The ring I wear says: Nothing is Impossible

With those reminders
It is My Year to Accomplish and move forward

I even went to church last weekend
For the first time in more than a year

Yes, it's a new day
A new year
A new attitude
And a new WORD

God is Able
Even in Me

Blessings~~~

Staying Positive!

Good Sunday Evening

Sweet Friends

I cannot believe it has been 2 weeks since I last posted

I guess that is what having a tiny space

At an antique/gift shop will do to you

It seems as though it's been longer than 2 weeks

I work on items every single day

And drive to the shop at least 3 times a week

I'm trying to Stay Positive

So far, only 1 item has sold

I have added lots of little things for Christmas

My prayer is that this venture will bring JOY

Into my life and not disappointment

I've struggled with tears the last few days

But I'm putting positive thoughts in my head

And holding on to them

The time between my birthday and Christmas

When Mark passed, are tough ones for me

Working HARD at focusing on HIM

The JOY of this season that is now upon us

I do hope to share, in the days ahead

A few Really Great Finds

And hopefully some other good news

Many Blessings to you All

Fall Tea Cup Exchange

Hello Sweet Friends

Welcome to
The Fall Tea Cup / Mug Exchange Reveal
Hosted by the Dear Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose

This is the second time I have participated
And, Oh I had so much fun putting my package together

It was fun to decide on a theme / color
And find little goodies to send off to my exchange recipient

This cute tea cup caught my eye
It was quickly purchased and the yellow theme started

A tea cup, journal, handkerchief, doily, two cards,
Spoon, candy and tea
Were packaged and sent off to Debbie in Texas
I haven't heard from her, but I sure hope she enjoyed her package

A week after I sent my package
I received this lovely package from Shirley in Virginia
Little scented soaps and a kitchen towel

A book, plaque, card and hot cocoa
(I don't drink coffee or tea - I know - I'm odd *wink*)

And this absolutely delightful tea cup
Can you see that the handle is butterfly wings
And the darling bee...

I'm so thankful to Shirley for blessing me with such
A Wonderful variety of items

And to Stephanie
Thank you again for hosting a fun and blessed exchange

Until next time
Blessings

Checking In...

Happy Sunday Sweet Friends

I hope you have enjoyed a Glorious Weekend

And pray the week ahead will be filled with Joy

First,

I'd like to thank my bloggy friend, Kris

Who sent me this sweet birthday surprise

My B~Day is tomorrow

But she wanted me to enjoy a few fall items

Over the past couple of weeks

Just an FYI Kris

I only ate 1 of the Belgian chocolate covered Oreos

Since I won't make myself a cake tomorrow

I will eat the other two for my Birthday Treat :)

The next 2 pictures are a little hint

About an announcement

I hope to make in the next couple of weeks

There is always a project

Going on around here

Finally

I have had my red bottle brush bushes planted

In the back yard for about 10 years

Although I've had many spring and early summer blooms

Today I found my very first Fall Bloom

New life makes me smile

Have a blessed week

Fall Fun

Hello Sweet Friends

I'm so happy that you decided to stop by
Fall has arrived in Arizona
It's been in the 90's for a couple of weeks
It is so much more tolerable than the months
We have endured with temps over 100-115+

Sometimes I wonder if you ever get tired of me saying
How much I live for My 3 K's
They make my heart sing
And I'm so very grateful for the time I get to spend with them

Lots of crafting took place during fall break
Little K~Baby working so intently on her fall project

K~Bel as well

I love having so many items for them to choose from
Looks like I may need to refill a few glitters

Each of the girls made a fall ornament

They love spending time creating
At the dining room table

They each made a necklace as well
Lots of colorful beads to choose from
And, of course, a K for each

Miss K~Bug
The one who started it all, over 12 years ago
Adore These K's

Praying you are having happy days
Making memories
And loving those around you

Blessings to All

Willing Fall to Get Here...

Hello Sweet Friends

I pray you have enjoyed your first weekend of Fall

The weather has been a bit cooler here

Hallelujah!!

The summer heat starts so early here in Phoenix

With 100 degree temps starting in late April/early May

Lasting well into September and October some years

I don't wish my life away

For we are all aware how quickly time passes

Yet, this year the Heat of Summer

Has really taken it's toll on me

SO,

I am willing Fall to get here

And fortunately the weather has cooled a bit

At least it has been under 100 this past weekend

And is forecast to stay in the 90's throughout the week ahead

With that I added a small amount of fall décor

To the house this weekend

Because I am putting the red away for awhile

And adding some blue

Finding some natural toned items with touches of blue

Has been fun 

The wooden pumpkin sign

Fit perfectly with my regular décor

A tablecloth with my crooked wooden bread bowl

Filled with white and natural pumpkins

Is a simple table centerpiece

The only new item is this cute Mary Engelbreit

Autumn book I recently found at an antique store

Most of the weekend was spend with this crew

My oldest son's birth sister came to town to see him

We love her as if we have always known her

She fits into our silly family so perfectly

And...best of all

Her name is Cindy

Love All my Kiddos!!!

Happy Fall Y'All

Sharing At
The Essence of Home
Have A Daily Cup